Page 62 of Dangerous Beginnings

Slowly I ease as I focus on the rhythm of my breath. But even as I struggle to calm my racing heart, I can’t shake the sense of guilt that gnawed at my conscience. I have disobeyed Aslanov’s orders, putting myself in harm’s way, and now I fear the consequences of my actions. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. “I know I shouldn’t have left the house. I just... thought you were okay with it because Dominik told me so.”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line before Aslanov speaks again, his tone slightly less irritated and with a hint of understanding. “I understand that.” As my panic intensifies, my apologies become a desperate refrain, tumbling from my lips in a rush of fear and guilt. He is not telling me he is coming.

“I’m so sorry, Aslanov,” I whisper. My words hang heavy in the air, a stark reminder of my yet again disobedience and the consequences that await me. With each passing second of him being silent, the weight of my actions pressed down on my shoulders, threatening to crush me beneath the weight of my own guilt.

“I’ll come get you.” His only response.

A sigh of relief washes over me but as he continues it soon is replaced with regret and fear.

“But I’m sure wherever you are right now with whoever’s thereis, is much better than me having to come get you. You’re in deep trouble solnyshko.”

I can feel my entire chest filling with fear. I already knew I fucked up before, and now I’ll be shipped back to America in a body bag. There was a pause before Aslanov spoke again, his tone softer, more reassuring. “We’ll discuss this issue later, Isabella. For now, come to the entrance and avoid any more contact. Two minutes.” Relief floods through me at his words, but it is tinged with a sense of unease. I fear the consequences.

I make my way to the entrance while still breathing heavily and flinching at every sound the crowded room makes. Still no sight of Dominik. As I see Aslanov approaching, a wave of fear washes over me, but it’s nothing compared to the palpable tension that grips the entire casino. He steps inside, the room opens and with him an evil aura enters. People stop dead in their tracks, conversations dying down to whispers as they avoid making eye contact with him. I watch the scene unfold with a heavy heart. Aslanov’s presence commands respect, but it’s laced with an undercurrent of fear that hangs heavy in the air.

I hesitate for a moment, unsure whether to approach him or not, but before I can decide, he locks eyes with me, his gaze piercing and intense. With a silent gesture, he beckons me towards him, his expression unreadable. His fingers curl and I know I better make sure to stand next to him within three seconds, because his patience doesn’t look any longer than that. As I step closer, the crowd parts like the Red Sea, giving us a wide berth as I walk over to him. Whispers follow in my wake, fueled by a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.

I don’t quite dare to reach his eyesight, and as I come within arm’s length, he grabs my arm and pushes me behind him, covering me like a shield from all the stares. I hide myself behind him while holding onto his upper arm. My eyes scan the room and the sight is weird. It feels strange. I see what he sees now.Nobody is looking directly at us, yet everyone is looking towards us.

The man who had approached me earlier shrinks back as Aslanov draws near, his bravado crumbling under the weight of Aslanov’s intimidating presence. Without a word, Aslanov delivers a chilling warning, his tone icy and devoid of emotion.

“Touch her again,” he says, his voice low and dangerous, “and you won’t live to regret it.” The man nods frantically, his eyes wide with fear as he stammers out an apology. Aslanov gives him a dismissive glance before turning his attention back to me, his demeanor shifting subtly as he leads me toward the exit without another word. Not until we exit the casino springs back to life. I’m in such deep trouble.

Aslanov

As I park my car, I brace myself for the anger I feel. Icannotlose control. I had to leave my meeting earlier because of this shit. When I enter the place, I immediately spot her, frightened in the corner. My patience has run low and as she approaches me, I need to give it my all to not snap at her right there and here.

I should try to budge her off, I should feel the need to deny as everyone stares. But I don’t, I rest my hand on the back of her head, before pushing her behind me. Instead, another emotion fills me: protectiveness. The room falls silent, a normal response to my presence. Nobody questions me about anything. I can sense their interest inher,yet nobody dares to ask.

Expectedly, it captures their attention. I have not brought anyone with me in ten years. I always work alone, wandering the shadows alone. But it has not always been like this.

Fourteen years ago, I met a woman named Natalia. She was one of the closest friends of Dominik and knew who I was. She had been growing up in an unstable home, not a day would go by that she wasn’t on the streets running away from her family andmind. That is the first reason Isabella immediately hit one of my tender strings, she represents her chaos.

Dominik wanted to take Natalia in, and he wanted my approval. I couldn’t deny him this, especially not after the car crash, so I granted him my approval. She would get her own room in our old family home and stay out of our business. That was the one condition. She was still in school at the time, and I wanted her to focus on that. I wanted her to become a good person, I wanted her to have a rightful life.

After a couple of weeks, she slowly became closer to me. We would spend nights together and she would air her heart. She wasn’t much younger than me and I resonated with her family issues. Time passed and I started to feel empathy for her. She was a very soft woman, but inside of her mind, it was way darker than she ever led on. We started seeing each other and kept it casual. She already lived with me, so it felt natural. Besides, I still thought I needed a wife for my empire.

A couple of years passed and we developed a strong bond. She would bring me ease and I would help her with her issues. She wanted to study longer, and I never stopped her. She would mostly stay out of my business and try to ignore it. When shit got bad she drifted further away from me. We started to fight more often, and she often liked to provoke and disobey me.

I knew a lot about her and her past, but I didn’t know she had such dark demons in her mind. She had been stressed and struggling more than normal, but I was ignorant. I was busy with other things. I was a fool. I had failed her.

One night when I came home after a fight I searched the house for her. I searched for her everywhere, every fucking room and every fucking place. I couldn’t find her. Days went by and I started an investigation with my men. I couldn’t sleep, eat or drink. I couldn’t control my anger; I hadn’t felt so worried since my mother and sister went missing.

It felt like the whole situation all over again, only now with the first woman I cared for. After four horrible days, I was the one who found her. At our spot, the lake house. Which was miles and miles away from our house. She had walked over there, alone. She committedsuicide. She took too many pills and ended her life. When I found her, I screamed and yelled for hours. The whole thing was unbearable. It killed me from the inside out, at least what was left of me.

She helped me get over my youth and the troubled things I went through, but I couldn’t be there for her. I wasn’t there with her while she took her last breath. I wasn’t there to stop her and the last time I saw her we argued.

I cried so much that day I felt like I lost my soul. I lost every little empathy and love possession I still had that day. I wiped the earth clean of everything and everyone the days after. I completely lost myself and let myself go. Dominik had to stop me, otherwise I’d probably have killed myself. It’s been ten years since I have shed a single tear. It’s been fifteen since I had a feeling in my chest other than hate and vengeance.

Until there was her,Isabella.

When I look at her, I feel my bones ignite. I feel. Isabella’s presence in my home is like a flickering flame in the darkness, illuminating corners of my heart that have long been shrouded in shadow. Despite my best efforts to remain aloof, her mere existence stirs something within me, a long-buried yearning.

The first time I saw her when in prison it was already there, but not like now. It’s worse now, especially after the night I spent with her. It makes me primal for her, a hunger I can’t still. And when I found out she had been sniffling in my businesses it was the perfect opportunity to fill the hunger that has plagued me. Every time I saw her; every time I saw her bruises and cuts I wanted to carve her all over my black heart and make her feel less alone in her ongoing tragedy.

I tried my best to keep it at primal hunger, but the feelings resolved deeper. Icaresomewhat for the tiny girl. Despite my resolve to keep her at arm’s length, I find myself drawn to her in ways I cannot fully comprehend. I would never leave a meeting, but when she called me, I got in my car faster than I knew was possible. When I saw her bruised face I had to control myself, but not for long. I’ll fucking end the person. I’ll find out. She’s an open book for me. But all these feelings are invalid, they can’t be here. Whether they are real or not. I need her to see me for who I truly am. After that, she won’t be so drawn to me anymore. I’ll sniff her out. Showing her my darkest side. I might play a little with her alongside. I’ll break her and mold her into my own.Mine.

Slamming the car door shut I text Dominik, I know where he is. I ordered him to disappear once Isabella took the bait of going with him. I didn’t set the trap because Dominik truthfully asked her himself, but once I came to find out she took the opportunity and went against my orders, I ordered Dominik to leave her at her mercy. Eventually, she had to come clean and call me, a dirty plan. I start the engine, and a ride back home. And a pity for my girl because it’s a short drive.

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